Container case feeding and opening means



Feb. 6, 1962 R. F. KRUPP ET AL CONTAINER cAsE FEEDING AND OPENING NE Filed July 18, 1957 ANS '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 @N EN EN EN INVENTORS ROBERT F. KRUPP JAN K WAGNER EQE S .QQ

ITKESAP Feb. 6, 1962 R. F. KRUPP ETAL 3,019,924

CONTAINER cAsE FEEDING AND4 OPENING MEANS '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1957 INVENTORS ROBERT F. KRUPP JAN K. WAGNER Feb. 6, 1962 R. F. KRUPP ET AL CONTAINER cAsE EEEDING AND OPENING MEANS Filed July 18. 1957 7 Sheets-Sheecl 3 EN .QQ

INVENTORS ROBERT F. KRUPP JAN K. WAGNER Feb. 6, 1962 R. F. KRUPP ET AL CONTAINER CASE FEEDING AND OPENING MEANS '7 Sheets-Shree?l 4 Filed July 18, 1957 INVENTORS ROBERT F. KRUPP JAN K. WAGNER Feb. 6, 1962 R. F. KRUPP ETAL 3,019,924

CONTAINER cAsE EEEDING AND OPENING MEANS Filed July 18, 1957 7 sheets-sheet 5 F. 3 ROBERTEJVENTORS KRUPP I6 JAN K.wAsNER Feb. 6, 1962 R. F. KRUPP ET AL 3,019,924

CONTAINER CASE FEEDING AND OPENING MEANS Filed July 18, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS ROBERT F. KRUPP JAN K. WAGNER BY Feb. 6, 1.962 R. F. KRUPP ET AL 3,019,924

CONTAINER CASE FEEDING AND OPENING MEANS Filed July 18, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 1NvENToRs ROBERT F. KRUPP BY JAN .wGNER 3,619,924 CNTANER CASE FEEDING AND PENENG MEANS Robert F. Krupp and lan K. Wagner, Oakland, Calif.,

assignors to Ger-her lrodncts Company, Fremont, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed July 1S, 1957, Ser. No. 672,618

12 Claims. (Cl. 214-363@ This invention relates to a new and improved container case feeding and opening means. ln common practice, containers such as glass jars are shipped in cases or .boxes from the container factory to the Cannery or other location where they are to be filled. Commonly, the cases are used for shipping the filled containers and accordingly, when received at the Cannery, the cases are closed and the bottom glued. The present invention relates to a machine to be used to prepare the cases for unloading.

T .e present invention relates to apparatus which feeds the cases one at a time in timed sequence and insures that not more than one case is fed into the machine at a time. The machine then opens all of the flaps of the case preparatory to unloading. Sequentially the rear outer flap, front outer tiap and side aps are opened and held in open position.

Reference is made to co-pending patent application Serial No. 509,546, tiled April 1l, 1955, now Patent No. 2,818,984, for Jar Handling Machine, wherein is disclosed a machine for unloading glass jars from shipping cases. The present invention relates to a machine which may be installed immediately ahead of such a jar handling machine and prepares the case for handling by such machine.

A jarv handling machine such as heretofore described in said patent application Serial No. 560,546 requires that each of the flaps be laid open and that all of the containers in the case be positioned with their mouths uppermost. Unless these conditions prevail, serious damage may result. Accordingly, a further feature of the present invention is the provision of safety means which disdld Patented Feb. 6, i962 stripped.

@ther objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specication and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.V

in the drawings:

FIGS. 11?' and lb are composite side elevations of the machine, FIG. lb being partly broken away to conserve space;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are top plans of the structure of FlGS. ltL and lb, respectively;

FG. 3 is an end elevation of the lefthand end of the machine shown yin FIG. lb;

FlG. 4 is a schematic Wiring diagram for the mechanism which discards cases when one or more flaps are `closed or one or more jars inverted;

FIGS. 5-l3, inclusive, are schematic, fragmentary side elevations showing various stages of operation of the device from entry to opening of the side flaps;

PEG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing commencement of operation of the opening of the side cards cases in the event that one or more of the flaps has failed to open. f

Another feature of the invention is the provision of safety means which discards a case if one or more jars have been inverted.

Accordingly the present invention provides means for rapidly and mechanically feeding, opening and testing cases of containers whereby the cases are prepared for unloading in timed sequence to the operation of the unloading machine.

Another feature of the invention relates to improved jar handling means wherein a plurality of pallets is employed, each having relatively movable plates to expand rubber cups positioned inside the containers so as to grip the containers preparatory to stripping the case therefrom. One of the improvements ofthe present invention relates to an improved cup construction which prevents collapse of the cup and insures outward expansion thereof.

Another improvement relates to an improved cup construction wherein attachment of the ycup to one of the plates of the pallet is facilitated.

Another feature of the invention is an improved latch mechanism to prevent relative movement of at least some of the plates when a particular pallet is inoperative during a portion of the cycle of the machine, as when the pallet is inverted. j

A further feature of the invention is the location of vertically depending pins at the corners of the pallet which impale corners of the case aps to prevent the case from falling away from the pallet until the proper time FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational View partly in section of a jar handling pallet and associated mechanism shownin position at thel top end of theflap opener machine; Y v

FIG. 16 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken 'substantially along line lio-1 6 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of a hollow cup and associated parts.

The shipping case 1t) with which the instant machine is employed is generally rectangular in shape, having front and rear ends l1 and 12 and sides i3. For the purpose of understanding the present invention, the bottom flaps of the box may be ignored. The outer top flaps, denominated the front and rear top flaps 14 and lo, are hingedly, integrally connected to the upper edges of the front and rear ends 11 and 12, respectively. The inner edges of the outer top flaps meet along a line 17 extending transversely of the path of progress of the case through the machine, which transverse line is centraliy disposed. The inner flaps 18 are hingedly connected along the top edges of either side i3, A gap which extends parallel to the longitudinal movement of the case through the machine separates the inner edges of the inner flaps 18. Such a shipping case may be considered to contain glass jars 19 or the like, with their opened ends uppermost. After the aps have been opened, the jars may be removed by a jar handling machine, such as is disclosed in copending patent appli cation Serial No. 500,546, led April 1l, 1955, for lar Handling Machine.

The cases 10 are deposited in a magazine, which comprises the righthand end of the machine hereinafter described. The function of the magazine 21 is to feed the cases 10 one at a time into the machine in timed relation to the cycle of operation thereof. The magazine employs a cantilever frame having vertical legs 22 supporting the righthand ends of substantially horizontal, longitudinally extending side frame members 23. Projecting laterally outwardly on therighthand end of either side of the frame are loading tables 24 upon which the work- 5 men initially deposit the cases. Loading tables 24 are relative to the shipping cases when the latter are held stationary, as hereinafter appears. The endmost rollers 27a and 27b define the ends of the table. Belt 28 is driven by passing around a large pulley 29 mounted on shaft 31 journalled by means of pillow blocks 32 on legs 22, shaft 31 likewise carrying a sprocket 33.driven by any appropriate means. Idler pulley 34 mounted on brackets 36 to leg 22 confines the path of travel of belt 28 substantially to the underside of horizontal frame members 23. A tightener pulley 37 is employed between drive pulley 29 and endmost pulley 27h.

At the left end of the magazine, on either side of the machine, is a horizontally disposed stop 41 which projects into the path of travel of shipping cases 10 and prevents their forward movement. Stops 41 are retractable in timed sequence to the cycle of operations of the machine. Retraction and projection of the stops is accomplished by means of pneumatic cylinders 42, to the pistons of which stops 41 are connected. Spaced to the right from stops 41 a distance approximately equal to the length of one case 1t) is a brake 43 which is actuated by a third pneumatic cylinder 44 and functions to bear against the second case in line to prevent its following the first case when the stops are retracted. A switch arm 46 projects into the path of travel of the cases and is contacted by a case as soon as it passes stops 41. Arm 46 actuates microswitch 47. Timing switch 48 having an arm 49 is located on the ap opener portion of the machine hereinafter described. Air valve 51 is controlled by switches 48 and 47. Valve 51 causes cylinders 42 to retract stops 41 to permit cases to be moved by belt 28 olf the magazine as switch 48 is closed in timed sequence to the operation of the flap opener. Simultaneously with retraction of stops 41, shoe 43 on cylinder 44 is projected, which interferes with movement of the second case. Switch 47 holds valve 51 in the foregoing position as long as a case is moving past arm 46. When the switch arm is no longer contacted by a case, valve 51 is reversed, causing stops 41 to be projected and shoe 43 to be retracted, thus permitting the second case to advance to the position of the vacated first case.

It will be noted that stops 41, shoe 43 and valve 51 are all mounted on horizontal member 52 having projecting guides G which bear against the sides of cases 10. Members 52 in turn are attached to horizontal brackets 53 formed with slots 54 through which screws 56 engaging members 23 extend to permit inward and outward 1 movement of members 52 52 depending upon widths of one of the side guides is interrupted to provide space for projection of shoe 43.

The elevation of the upper stretch of belt 28 is above the level of the flap opening portion 56 of the machine. Hence when the stops 41 are retracted and belt 28 advances the cases, they descend to the level of the flap opener portion of the machine.

The flap opener portion 56 comprises a main vframe having vertical legs 57 and horizontal, upwardly inclined longitudinally extending side frame members 5S which are connected by transverse members 59. A superstructure 61 consisting of various members extends above the level of side frame members 58.

At the level of the side frame members 58 is a longitudinally extending plate 62 which is disposed at the same inclination as the side frame members. The cases 16 move over the surface of plate 62. Longitudinally extending side guide members 63 engage the side edges of the cases 10 and confine them to the proper path of travel along plate 62. At either end and on each side of the machine is a large sprocket 64, 66 on shafts 67, 68 respecti'vely mounted on the frame and shaft 68 is driven by a motor (not shown). Chains 69 on either side of the machine pass around sprockets 65, 66. The upper stretch of the chains 69 is elevated above the surface of plate 62. At intervals along the chain 62 are angular 14 slightly,

members 71, the lower ends of which are attached to links of chain 69. At the upper corner of angular members are transverse rods 72 `which bear against the rear ends 12 of the cases and push them through the machine, sliding over the surface of plate 62, as the sprockets 64, 66 revolve. The actuation of valve 51 of magazine 21 is controlled in timed sequence to the movement of the push rods 72 so that a case 1) will be released to be deposited on plate 62 ahead of push rod 72. Members 71 contact switch arm 49 to carry out the proper timing of release by magazine 21.

On the righthand end of superstructure 61 is the rear outer flap opener mechanism 76. A transverse rod 77 elevated above the surface of cases 16 is journalled in superstructure 61. Depending from rod 77 is a feeler rod 78 and a spear 79 which are angularly spaced apart. Feeler rod 78 is contacted rby the front end 11 of the case as the case is pushed along plate 62 and this causes shaft 77 to turn in a clockwise direction. Spear point 81 on the lower end of spear rod 79 impales the rear outer flap 16 and as the case moves along, rear outer flap 16 is pulled backward by spear 79 until it is gradually opened to horizontal rearwardly extending position. Feeler shaft '7S and spear shaft 79 comprise two members telescopically arranged and so can be adjusted in length to accommodate shipping cases of different heights. In addition, the angular relationship of the two rods can be adjusted to accommodate different lengths of boxes, as by relative rotation of the collars on the upper ends of the rods which receive shaft '77. Projecting forwardly at an angle are arms 82 pivoted to superstructure 61 by pivot shaft 83 and carryingon their lower ends rollers 84 which engage rear ap 16 and push it backwardly after it has been lifted by spear 81. Screw 86 bearing on the upper end of arm 82 is employed to change the elevation of roller S4, depending upon the height of case 10. (See FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.)

Located immediately beyond roller 84 is front ap lifter 91 which is in general construction similar to rear flap opener 76. A telescopic feeler rod 92 and a telescopic spear 93 are mounted on transverse shaft 94 journaled in superstructure 61. The angular spacing between the two rods 92 and 93 is less than between rods 78 and 79, so that when the front end 11 of the case contacts feeler rod 92, spear rod 93 impales front outer flap 14. Further progress of the case along plate 62 lifts front flap but does not completely open same.

In lieu of lifter 91, various other means, well known in this art, may be employed to lift flap 14, such as a jet of compressed air.

Immediately beyond front flap lifter 91 is located the front flap unfolder mechanism 96. A pair of large sprockets 97, 9S is mounted by means of transverse shafts 99 and 101 on either side of the machine. Shafts 99, 161 are journaled in vertical members 102, 1029 attached to the main frame. Reeved around sprockets 97, 98 are chains 163 and on opposite sides of the machine are inwardly projecting rollers 104 attached to links of chains 193. Chains 103 are driven at twice the speed of chains 69 and for such purpose sprocket 106 engages and is turned by chain 69. Sprocket 106 is mounted on shaft 107 journaled in vertical member 102. Shaft 107 likewise carries sprocket 108 which drives sprocket 109 on shaft 99 by means of chain 111. The diameters of sprockets 106 and 109 are such that the proper speed ratio between chains 69 and 103 is maintained. Rollers 104 engage behind front flap 14 which has already been lifted by front ilap lifter mechanism 91. By reason of the fact that rollers 104 are moving at twice the speed of case 10, front ap 14 is unfolded and moved forwardly, projecting ahead of the case. To prevent bending of the front flap, chains 163 are raised by means of raising sprockets 112 mounted on shafts 113 in extensions 114 of vertical members 102 and engaging under chains 103.

stood in the box flap folding and unfolding art.

. This insures theforward movement of front flap 14, as illustrated schematically in FG. 10.

Extending horizontally are parallel, spaced outer flap holddown rods 11S. Holddown rods 118 prevent upward movement of outer flaps 14 and 16. The righthand ends 119 of holddown rods 118 are curved upwardly to facilitate movement of the flaps under holddown rods 115. lt will further be understood that the holddown rods are located centrally of the machine and hence do not interfere with the subsequent unfolding of inner flaps 18. Auxiliary vertical legs 125 and 121 depend from Crossovers 117 and 122 and maintain the rods in alignment, both laterally and vertically.

Immediately to the left of front flap unfolder 96 is side ilap raiser mechanism 123. Projecting to the left of crossover 122 are cantilever arms 124 and pivotally -mounted and depending therefrom on either side of the machine is a pair of links 126, 127, connected by pivot shafts 12S, 129. v Suspended from links 126, 127 is a yoke-shaped member having a transverse central portion 131 passing through the lower ends of links 126 and having Vhorizontal extensions 132 and vertical legs 133. Legs 133 carry spear heads 134 on their lower ends. Legs 133 are connected to links 117' by pins 136 fitting into slots 1317. Attached to central portion 131 is bracket 13? from which Adepends feeler rod 139; which is adjustable in elevation by means of set screw 141. When the leading edge of front iiap 14 contacts feeler 139, it moves lefthand link 136 in a clockwise direction, which movement is transmitted to spears 134, causing them to impale inner flaps 18. As the case advances, spears 134 are slightly lifted by reason of the pendulum movement of links 126, 127 and -this causes lifting of inner flaps 13.

Immediately to the left of the lifter mechanism is a Vplow of anyconventional construction, as well under- For purposes of illustration, the plow is, shown as a pair of laterally diverging rods 142, the righthand ends of which are attached to outer flap holddown rods 11S and engage under the leading edge of lifted inner flaps 18. The divergence of rods 118 is accompanied by an elevation thereof which causes inner aps 18 to .be folded outwardly to a horizontal position. Auxiliary holddown rods 143 extending to the left of crossover 117 are connected to the left ends of rods 118 to maintain all the flaps in opened position.

At this stage, all four ilaps 14, 16, 18, 13 of the case have been laid open to horizontal outwardly extending position and the case is now ready for unloading. However, it is desirable to test the case to make sure that all of the flaps have been unfolded and further to insure that the containers in the case are all positioned with their open ends uppermost. For such purpose, a tester station is installed at the lefthand end of the machine.

Tester station 151' is installed on the lefthand end of the frame of the machine and comprises vertical legs 152 interconnected by horizontal transverse member 59.

IPlate 62 terminates to the right of tester station 151.

The bottom edges of case are supported by angles 153, one ange of which rests under case 141and the other flange of which aligns the case laterally of the machine. Angles 153 are mounted on the inner ends of top levers 154, the outer ends of which are mounted by pivots 156 to brackets 157 attached to frame members 149. Depending from levers 154 are vertical rods 15S, the lower ends of which are biased upward by vertical helical springs 159 which are connected at their upper ends to the inner ends of lower levers 161. Lower levers 161 are likewise pivotally mounted by pivots 1,62 at their outer ends to brackets 157. Lower levers 161 are interconnected at their inner ends by longitudinal shaft 16.3. Pneumatic cylinders 164 are angularly disposed extending upwardly inwardly from brackets 1669' on legs 152. The outer ends of piston rods 166 of cylinder`164 are connected to shafts 163. It will thus be seen that so long as piston rods 166 are extended, secondary lower .arms 161 are held horizontal and upper arms 154 are biased by means of springs 159 to horizontal position, thereby maintaining angles 153 horizontal so long as down-ward force applied on angles 153 does not counterbalance the force of springs 159.

A container unloading machine 171 such as that illustrated in copending patent application Serial No. 500,- 546, led April 1l, 1955, for Jar Handling Machine, is located immediately above testing station 151. Corresponding parts of said application are designated with similar reference numerals increased by .200 in the drawings and description of the present invention.

Each pallet 249 comprises a plurality of parallel plates which move relative to each other in the cycle of operation of the machine. The carrier plate 251 carries a pair of outwardly extending rollers 276 at either end which travel in tracks 277 which govern the elevation of the carrier plate.V Carrier plate 251 is moved by chains 243, adapter links of which are connected to carrier plate 251. An upward extension 282 of carrier plate 251 is formed with an'elongated vertical slot 283 on opposite sides of the machine. Horizontal pivot tube 186 interconnects the upper ends of extensions 282 and provides a pivot for the latch mechanism hereinafter 'described in detail.

Spaced above carrier plate 251 are three `parallel-plates 252, 253, 256 and below plate 251 is plate 254. Top plate 253, which is denominated the case stripping plate, carries a roller 236 which projects into and slides vertically in slot 283 and also roller 254 which travels in track 291A. The plate below case stripping plate 253 is denominated the cup elevating and lowering plate 252. This plate likewise has a laterally projecting roller 251 which slides vertically in slot 233 and a roller 279 in track 291. Below carrier plate 251 is cup compressing plate 254 and intermediate carrier plate 251 and cup elevating and lowering plate 252 is stop plate 256.

Strip pins 257 are secured to the lower surface of case stripping plate 255 and extend through suitable apertures in the other four plates so that strip pins not only perform the function of stripping off the shipping container, but

' also align the other four plates in their movement during the cycle of operation of the machine. Strip pins 25'7 project beyond the lower surface of cup compression plate 254 and contact the upper edges of the dividers 223 when the shipping case is being stripped from the jars.

Connected to the cup elevating and lowering plates 252 is a plurality of sleeve spacers 258. A shoulder 259 is formed on spacer 258 leaving a neck 261 on the upper end thereof surrounding which there is a spring 262. Neck 261 passes through apertures in plate 256 with springs 262 interposed between plates 252 and 256. The lower` portions of spacers 25S pass through apertures in plate V251 and the lowerV end of spacers 253 bear against the upper surface of plate 25d.

The foregoing construction insures that, although the distance between plates 252 and 254 is a xed and invariable distance, the distance between plates 254 and 256 is variable. The pressure of spring 262 tends toV maintain plates 254 and 256 at a ixed distance, but upon compression of springs 262 this distance may be varied during the cycle ofA operation of the machine.

Fixed to and projecting downwardly from plate 256 is a plurality of cup support rods 266 corresponding in number to the `number of jars 19 in each case 10 and positioned immediately above the center of each jar when in position in case 10. Each rod 266 has an enlarged head 267 on its lower end. Pliable rubber cups 268 are interposed between heads 267 and plate 254. A number of longitudinally extending slots 265 are formed in cups 263, slots 269 extending upwardly from the bottom of cups 268 approximately two-thirds of the length thereof. Cups 268 are formed hollow with an external collar 268a which seats in a counter-bored hole 254CL in plate 254. Im-

t! mediately above the top of slots 269 is an internal rounded protuberance 259% An internal rounded groove 269i is formed in cup 268 about haliway up the length of slots 269. The construction of cups 268 is such that with support rods 266 and head 267 held stationary, downward movement of plate 254 compresses cups 263 and causes them to bend outwardly. The normal or relaxed diameter of cups 268 is substantially less than the interior diameter of jars 19 so the cups may readily be inserted inside the interiors of the jars. However, upon compression of the cups, they swell and grip the interiors of the jars.

Latch means is provided to latch the plates in position to prevent damage to the parts when the pallet is not in operative position in the cycle of operation of the machine. For such purpose a rocking lever 187 is mounted for pivotal movement with tube 136. One end of locking lever 187 is connected to the upper end of a helical spring 188, the lower end of which is tiXed to carrier plate 251. The opposite end of rocking lever 187 carries a cam follower roller 189 which at intervals in the operation of the machine engages a cam (not shown). This causes oscillation of pivot tube 186. Plates 252 and 253 are apertured and are formed with transverse members 190 and 196, Fixed to pivot tube 186 is a latch bar 191 having two projecting lugs 192, 192a which engage transverse members 190 and 194) and lock plates 252 and 253 in position relative to each other. Wl'len cam follower 139 is not in contact with its cam, spring 188 biases the projections 192, 1)2a to latched position. When cam follower roller 189 is depressed, tube 185 is turned ina clockwise direction, causing projections 192, 192a to be disengaged from transverse members 190, 190 and permitting rela tive movement of the plates. The timing of the camactuating roller 135! is such that lugs 192 and 192B- engage under their respective plates in the interval of the cycle of operations when the plates are elevated relative to carrier plate 251.

The forward ends of pallets 249 carry depending fingers 331 which engage behind the trailing edges of outwardly projecting side aps 18 and move the cases along in proper position centered relative to cups 268.

In each corner of plate 254 is a vertically depending sharpened pin 193 so located that whenplate 254 is depressed, pins 193 impale corners of aps 14, 16 and hold the shipping cases against dislodgment from the pallet until the proper time in the cycle of operations of the machine when stripping pins 257 knock the shipping case off the pallet.

In the cycle of operation of the unloading machine plate 254 moves downwardly so that cups 263 in normal operation of the machine enter inside containers 19. If containers 19 are all positioned with their open ends uppermost and if aps 14, 16, 1S, 18 are all properly unfolded, there is no impediment to the downward movement of the plate and no downward force is applied to angles 153 tending to overbalance springs 159. In the event, however, that either one or more flaps is closed or one or more containers is inverted, downward passage of plate 254 is impeded and this exerts a force on one or both angles 153 which is greater than the force of springs 159, thereby detecting the presence of a defective case. When top arms 154 are horizontal they raise switch arms 174, thus holding open normally closed switches 176L and 176R. When one of arms 154 moves downwardly, it breaks contact with its associated switch arm 174, causing closing of switch 176L or 176R and completing a circuit through normally closed contact 180 of relay 177 and solenoid 178 which, when energized, actuates valve 179 controlling air to cylinders 164 which causes retraction of both piston rods 166, thereby insuring that both angles 153 are fully lowered and causing shipping case 10 to be lowered for discard until-the defect has been rectified. When both upper levers 154 are in down position, switch arms 181 are closed, causing closing of normally Vopen 8 switches 1821. and 152K Closing of both switches 182iJ and 182R (wired in series) energizes coil 183 of relay 177 which opens normally closed contact and closes normally open contact 18th:, thus holding coil 133 energized until both top arms 154 are fully raised, whereupon the circuit through coil 183 is broken.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, by reason ofthe parallel wiring of switches 176L and 176K and the series wiring of switches 182L and 182R and the presence of holding coil 183, as illustrated in the wiring diagram of FIG. 4, both arms 154 are completely retracted and the mechanism cannot be reset until both arms 154 have come completely down, whereupon both arms 154 are completely elevated.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, means for advancing a case having exposed side flaps, a feeler rod, a pair of spears on opposite sides of the path of travel of said case, means mounting said rod and spears cooperatively for pivotal movement together in a path parallel to the direction of movement of said case, said rod depending in the path of movement of said case and positioned to be pivotally moved by said case as said case is advanced, said spears being positioned each to impale one side ap and to lift said aps as said case moves past said spears.

2. Means for detecting the presence of an unopened ap or inverted container in a case of containers comprising support means forsupporting said case of containers,

first means having depending projections positioned toY it within each of the containers in an opened case, said iirst means being positioned above said support means, resilient means biasing said rst means and support means toward each other, said resilient means being yieldable when one or more of said projections encounters an unopened flap or inverted container, and means responsive to relaxation of said resilient means to divert a case from said support means.

3. Means for detecting the presence of an unopened iiap or inverted container in a case of containers comprising support means for supporting a case of containers, said support means being movable from an operative to an inoperative position, resilient means biasing said support means to operative position, first means above said support means having depending projections positions to fit within each of the containers in an opened ca-se, said resilient means being yieldable when one or more of said projections contacts an unopened liap or inverted container to permit movement of said support means to inoperative position. v

4. Means according to claim 3 which further comprises support moving means operable to move said support means to inoperative position upon yielding of said resilient means.

5. Means according to claim 4 in which said support moving means comprises a movable member and an electric circuit operable to move said movable member, said circuit having a solenoid connected to said movable meniber, and a iirst switch having a iirst arm arranged to hold said first switch open when said support means is in operative position and to close said rst switch as soon as said support means is moved from operative position, said first switch when closed energizing said solenoid to move said movable member to retract said support means to inoperative position.

6. Means according to claim `4 in which said support moving means comprises a movable member and an electric circuit operable to move said movable member, said circuit having a solenoid connected to said movable member, a first switch having a rst arm arranged to hold said rst switch open when said support means is in operative position and to close said rst switch as soon as said support means is moved from operative position, said first switch when closed energizing said solenoid to move said movable member to retract said support means to inoperative Iposition, and a second switch having a second arm arranged to hold said second switch closed until said support means is fully in inoperative position, said second switch when closed holding said solenoid energized.

7. In a case opener machine, means for feeding cases one at a time into the machine, means `for opening the outer rear flap of a case, means for opening the outer front flap of a case, means for opening the inner ilaps of a case, means for maintaining opened aps in open position, means for advancing a case sequentially past each of said means, and means for detecting the presen-ce of cases with one or more unopened flaps, at least one of said means for opening comprising a feeler rod depending in the path of movement of a case, a spear, means mounting said feeler rod and spear for cooperative movement whereby contact of a case with said feeler rod causes said spear to impale a ilap and exert a retarding and lifting movement on said fla-p.

8. In a case opener machine, a frame, conveyor means for advancing a case longitudinally of said frame, first means mounted on said frame to impale and turn rearwardly the outer rear flap of said case, second means mounted on said frame to lift the outer front flap of said case, third means on Said frame to engage under said front flap and move forwardly said front flap to a position extending lforwardly of said case, fourth means o-n said frame to impale and lift the inner side aps of said case, and unfolding means to fold said side iiaps outwardly, said first means comprising a shaft mounted transversely on said frame, a feeler rod depending from said shaft to be contacted by a case moving on said frame, and a spear depending from said shaft and angularly spaced from said feeler rod and pivotable therewith, and said feeler rod and said spear being mounted for cooperative movement.

9. A machine according to claim 8 in which said third means comprises `a chain having a stretch extending along one side of the path of travel of said case and elevated slightly above said case, a member extending inwardly from said chain and movable therewith to engage under the lifted front ap of said case, `and means for advancing said chain in the same direction as and at substantially greater speed than said conveyor means.

10. A machine according to claim 8 in which said fourth means comprises a feeler rod mounted above and depending into the path of travel of said case and a pair of spears on opposite sides of the machine depending from above the path of travel of said case, and means for moving said spears downwardly to impale said side llaps as said feeler rod is pushed by said case advancing on said conveyor means.

11. ln a case opener machine, means for feeding cases one at a time into the machine, means for opening the outer rear flap of a case, means for opening the outer front flap of a case, means for opening the inner ilaps of a case, means for maintaining opened flaps in open position, means for advancing a case sequentially past each of said means, and means for detecting the presence of cases with one or more unopened flaps, at least one of said means for opening comprising a feeler rod depending in the path of movement of a case, a spear, a shaft transverse to the movement of said case, means mounting said shaft for pivotal movement, said feeler rod and spear being mounted for cooperative movement and each being fixed to said sha-ft and angularly spaced apart whereby contact of a case with said feeler rod causes said spear to impale a flap and exert a retarding and lifting movement on said ap.

12. In combination in a case flap opening machine, means for advancing a case having aps, a shaft mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of said case as advanced by said means, said shaft being mounted above the path of travel of said case, a feeler rod mounted for pivotal movement with said shaft, a spear mounted for pivotal movement with said shaft for movement with said feeler rod in a path parallel to the direction of movement of said case and spaced in advance of said feeler rod relative to the direction of movement of said case, said feeler rod normally depending into the path of said case to be pivoted by said case about said axis as said case is advanced, said spear being positioned to impale a flap of said case and impart a drag to said tiap'to lift said ap as said case moves past said spear.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,657,783 Berg Ian. 31, 1928 1,740,186 Lippold Dec. 7, 1929 2,404,460 Rolker July 23, 1946 2,441,083 Rottier May 4, 1948 2,530,412 Wallace Nov. 2l, 1950 2,648,450 Neal Aug. 11, 1953 2,675,119 Birch Apr. 13, 1954 2,681,161 Lorenz June 15, 1954 2,685,975 Bruce et al. Aug. 10, 1954 2,757,780 Sousa Aug. 7, 1956 2,862,633 Stiles Dec. 2, 1958 

